Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will face off next week as a large majority of American citizens vote. The Republican leader has repeatedly assured that he will accept the results of a “free and fair” election, without really explaining what that might look like. Poll observers and top officials are bracing for a premature declaration of victory reminiscent of previous elections.

“We are unfortunately prepared if he does that and, if we know that he is actually manipulating the press and trying to manipulate the consensus of the American people…we are prepared to respond,” Harris told ABC News during a recent interview.

She previously indicated that there were teams in place to deal with such a situation.

The former POTUS has repeatedly insisted over the past four years that he won the 2020 election — and many supporters support that claim. It is also relevant to note that the Republican leader’s supporters led the January 6 Capitol “riots” following his defeat by Joe Biden.

Trump had also called himself the winner hours after Election Day 2020 — well before the results were tallied. President Biden was then declared the winner the Saturday after Election Day.

Misinformation is permeating the 2024 U.S. presidential election on an unprecedented scale, with online instigators increasing doubts about the integrity of the electoral process as millions of Americans cast their ballots.

As Election Day approaches, conspiracy theorists and foreign actors are amplifying unverified fraud claims that echo Donald Trump’s claims that the outcome cannot be trusted if he loses to vice -President Kamala Harris. They are using Elon Musk’s X and other social media platforms to sow skepticism among voters by circulating fake images of destroyed ballots and false reports of blocked polling places.

(With contribution from agencies)